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Pretty much bar food but the 4 of us all enjoyed our burgers. Decent beer selection.

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From Our Editors

At Downing's, diners can gobble up a Guinness beer brat, savor Corona-battered cod, or bite into a maple-bacon burger made with beer-infused sirloin. Inventive uses for alcohol aren't the only way the chefs add creative spins to their traditional Irish eats and handheld pub dishes. For instance, you can order a burger topped with fresh mozzarella, pesto, and fresh tomatoes?all the makings of a caprese salad. Downing's takes burgers so seriously that an entire section of the menu is labeled "Not Burgers." It features italian-beef sandwiches and chimichurri beef tacos. Diners can also partake of a deep-fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich, which oozes with warm strawberry jelly between slices of bread dusted with powdered sugar.

Between bites of hearty pub food washed down with beer and spirits, pool players can start their own leagues at Downing's. The pub?which offers alfresco seating in warmer months?also keeps things hopping with weekly musical performances, five flat-screen TVs, and parties to celebrate such holidays as Halloween, Saint Patrick's Day, and Franklin Pierce Fan Club Day.

Groupon Guide

Going back home over the holidays can be surreal. Here's how to handle the people you'll run into when you’re out at night.
The Star Athlete: In high school, everyone always acted like the Star Athlete would do poorly in later life. Not so. The Athlete has a job in sales because everyone likes them, and they make a depressing amount of money and have a Miata and don’t care that they forgot to ever leave town. Just give up and bask in their glory.
Computer Kid: Remember the weird stuff this kid was always doing in their garage? They’re doing that in a way bigger garage now. They’d sure be glad to talk to you about it!
The Nester: You won’t see the Nester out at the bar, but you can discuss their prodigious children/homes/pets based on snippets of Facebook information.
The Unsuccessful Doppelgänger: For reasons of self-esteem, you’ll want to spend a lot of time around the Unsuccessful Doppelgänger. They didn’t quite get the grades you did, and they have a slightly bum knee. They have the same car you do, but it’s one model older and a weird yellow color. If it begins to sound like their life is better than yours, back away immediately. You do not want to find out that you are the unsuccessful doppelgänger.
The Student-Council President: The Star Athlete’s Unsuccessful Doppelgänger. They live for recognition—just make it clear you remember them and move along.
The Kid Who Was Bitten By a Radioactive Spider on a Field Trip: Never really did much, but at least they have free lifetime passes to all the museums in the county. Rekindle your friendship, and those museum passes could all be yours.
Class Clown: Runs the third most popular Shaquille O’Neal parody Twitter account now. Ask them to tell the story about how they got retweeted by Wil Wheaton one more time, and you’ll have a friend for life.
The Automotive Class: These guys always seemed like they were about 35. They’d fix teachers’ cars and were allowed to skip class to go help the volunteer fire department fight fires. They still appear to be 35 and have not heard of you.
The Juggler: “Hey, remember me? We had history together? Yeah, still juggling. It’s going great, up to six balls now. How are you?”
The Community-College Tourist: At several community colleges around the state, the Community-College Tourist is only a few credits away from degrees in alternative optometry, Canadian studies, dog-track management, and theoretical welding. Somehow they still have a job at Circuit City. Keep this person close—they are either brilliant or dangerous.
Strong Person: Didn’t Strong Person used to be pretty small? Not anymore! Steer clear if they’ve had enough drinks to start lifting people off the floor and arm-wrestling strangers.

Dark Chocolate with Mandarine Napoleon and Homemade Marshmallow at Mindy’s HotChocolate (Wicker Park | 1747 N. Damen Ave.)
Warm like: a thick, heavy down comforter
Forget thin, watery Swiss Miss. The titular drink at Mindy’s HotChocolate is so thick with real chocolate that it’s a full dessert unto itself. I chose the 72% French dark-chocolate variety, which came with a shot of Mandarine Napoleon—a liqueur made from mandarin oranges and aged cognac. On my waiter’s advice, I added just a splash of the liqueur at first to open the chocolate up quickly. The resulting first sip was so intense with chocolate flavor it actually gave me a jolt. The faint hint of orange cut the sweetness a bit, and the marshmallow, which I gobbled down soon after, was light and airy—far removed from the dehydrated cubes of my powdered-mix youth. In went the rest of the liqueur, adding a complex flavor and warmth that lasted long after the final sip. – Carolyn Alterio
An off-menu coffee drink at Sable Kitchen & Bar (River North | 505 N. State St.)
Warm like: the steam off your morning latte
When I asked about a warm drink, our bartender, Mike, could have apologetically explained that there were none on the menu. Instead, he whipped up a soul-calming coffee drink off the cuff, assuring me it was no trouble. Lifting it to my lips, I inhaled a rich, buttery scent that complemented the drink’s warm, nutty flavor. At its heart, Cardenal Mendoza brandy lent the richness of oaky vanilla and toffee, tempered by dry curacao’s orange notes. Dark crème de cacao added more complexity than sweetness, and a dash of Moroccan bitters rooted this drink with some of fall’s best flavors—coriander and cinnamon, among others. – Michelle Schuman
Know Your Magi at Billy Sunday (Logan Square | 3143 W. Logan Blvd.)
Warm like: a frothy, foamy bubble bath
Eggnog has long been a fixture among holiday drinks, but there are other ways to get a creamy foam mustache. Billy Sunday’s newest winter cocktail uses fluffed egg whites as an accent for a sour-sweet blend of cognac, Cappelletti aperitif, cider bitters, and almond-and-myrrh honey. The congac and flavored honey lend a pleasant spiciness, while the aperitif and cider bitters work together to cut the richness of the egg with a refreshing, citrusy tang. Even the presentation is festive: a sprig of greenery erupts from the drink’s surface, resembling grass poking through snow. Sipping this while glancing around Billy Sunday’s dim interior, which always reminds me of an old-fashioned parlor in the home of some eccentric relative, felt just as good as cozying up with a nightcap on Christmas Eve. – Will Landon
An off-the-menu creation we named Winnie the Pooh, a.k.a. the Bear Hug at Nellcôte (West Loop | 833 W. Randolph St.)
Warm like: the den of a (friendly) hibernating grizzly
There weren’t any warm cocktails on Nellcôte’s seasonal menu yet, but our bartender, Courtney, was eager to experiment with some autumnal spirits. She took care choosing her ingredients, inhaling their aromas to be sure they’d fit the bill. The result was a spicy, fragrant blend of three liqueurs—Sorel, Bärenjäger, and pimento dram—with Hudson Manhattan Rye, lemon, and cardamom and walnut bitters. As I started tilting the drink back, the hurricane shape of the glass funneled warmth toward my face. I tasted the honey (from the Bärenjäger) and lemon immediately, yet the cocktail wasn’t overly sweet or tart. The cardamom and allspice (from the pimento dram) flared with each swallow, and for awhile, the cocktail turned into an easily gulpable elixir reminiscent of warm apple cider. But I savored it slowly, and as it cooled, the rye whiskey’s potency took over, ending the drink on a strong note. – Kelly MacDowell
Glögg at Simon’s Tavern (Andersonville | 5210 N. Clark St.)
Warm like: the space heater in your grandpa’s basement
Amid the popular brunch spots and upscale bars of Andersonville, Simon's Tavern stands out as one of the historically Swedish neighborhood's last ethnic pubs. Starting on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving each year, Simon's barkeeps honor their Scandinavian roots by mixing up batches of glögg—a hot winter cocktail of mulled wine, spirits, spices, and fruit. The concoction comes in a glass mug with a garnish of hooch-soaked raisins and a side of ginger wafers. Though the drink's syrupy, cinnamony sweetness usually keeps me from having more than one, settling in to a nice corner of Simon's and downing a glass of glögg often feels like the perfect antidote to Chicago's bitter winter. It also helps that Simon's is decked out like a fun-loving grandpa's rec room, with plenty of kitschy decorations, an analog jukebox, and an alcove in the back lined with sofas. – Patrick Winegar
Photo credit: Andrew Nawrocki, Groupon

Two years ago I moved to Chicago from New York where my favourite neighborhoods were the
Lower East Side and East Village in Manhattan, and Williamsburg and Greenpoint in Brooklyn. When
I arrived here in the windy city, I sought out three things – neighborhoods with a similar vibe, hot
spots to visit there, and of course, a smart cocktail to sip in style. I now spend most of my social time
in and around Logan Square, West Town, Pilsen and Andersonville – where a good Old Fashioned at
a great bar is NOT hard to find. Each of these cocktails has something unique to offer your taste
buds, so it’s worth trying all of them. Here’s a list of my favorites so far, and even a couple I’ve
resolved to try in the New Year.Simple and Strong: The Old Fashioned at Billy Sunday
One giant cube is the centrepiece for this gorgeously potent and clean cocktail – a hint of rhubarb,
essential oils and cube sugar make it dark and lovely, just like the interior of this Logan Square
hipster hangout. Stop in on a cold winter evening to warm up!
Billy Sunday; 3143 West Logan Boulevard, on the Square; Chicago, IL 60647; (773) 661-2485Playful and Sweet: The Honky Old Fashioned at Honky Tonk BBQ
Served in a Ball jar with a dash of spiced cherry juice and a cute striped straw for sipping, this one is
definitely the casual country cousin of your traditional Old Fashioned. Head to Pilsen for one of these
– plus a side of great music, awesome food and bartenders who make you feel right at home!
Honky Tonk BBQ; 1800 S. Racine Ave. Chicago, IL 60608; (312) 226-7427Belgian and Punchy: The Belgian Old Fashioned at Duseks and American Orange Punch at Punch House
Right next door and spiced with Belgian candi syrup, this classy near- south side joint in Pilsen serves
up a ‘Belgian Fashioned’ with Redemption rye – I just love the subtle difference rye adds to my
favourite cocktail. Dim lights and Chicago’s stylish set make the ambience quite classy, too!
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For the punched up version, head downstairs for a whole bowl of bourbon-orange goodness – plus a
few extra goodies like baking spices, curacao and porter. But bring friends! You’ll need a few to help
you finish this deep bowl of American Orange Punch, complete with vintage punch cups!
Dusek’s and Punch House; 1227 W. 18TH Street; Chicago, IL 60608; (312) 526-3851The New(ish) Kid on the Block: The Old Fashionish at Charlatan
This brand new West Town restaurant and bar calls it the ‘Old Fashionish’ for its fresh take on the
classic cocktail. The addition of straw wine makes the drink light yet potent, which is exactly how I’d
describe the simple Italian fare you’ll want to eat for days once you’re here!
Charlatan Chicago; 1329 West Chicago Avenue; Chicago, IL 60642; (312) 818-2073Exactly What I Wanted: The Old Fashioned at The Brixton
Sometimes, you just want a no-nonsense cocktail with the flavour profile you’ve come to love and
expect. Enter the Old Fashioned at The Brixton, one of my favourite Andersonville destinations.
Bourbon, bitters, and a cherry – that’s it, and it’s lovely!
The Brixton; 5420 North Clark Street; Chicago, IL 60640; (773) 961-7358What’s up next on my list? It’s time to expand my horizons to a couple other neighborhoods! In the
New Year I’ll be heading to explore The Franklin Room in River North and The Barrelhouse Flat in
Lincoln Park. I’ve heard great things about both from my blog readers, and I can’t wait to give these
places – and these cocktails – a try. Hope to see you there!ParagraphThe Franklin Room: 675 N Franklin St; Chicago, IL 60654; (312) 445-4686
The Barrelhouse Flat: 2624 N. Lincoln Ave; Chicago, Il 60614; (773) 857-0421

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